Allocations and Verifications Officer - lambeth in City of Westminster

Main Purpose of the Job

Responsible for carrying out the allocation and verification processes in respect of the Council's statutory re-housing responsibilities under Part VI of Housing Act 1996. The post holder will be appointed as a generic Allocation and Verification Officer and will be expected to be flexible in undertaking either the allocation or the verification functions and responsibilities attached to that role as directed by the Allocations and Verifications Team Manager according to the service needs.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Provide a high quality, customer focused and responsive housing allocation service to Lambeth tenants and residents applying for transfers and social housing by the efficient and timely allocation of Council housing and nominations to Housing Associations and Housing Co-operatives including various mobility schemes where appropriate.
• Advertise properties and short-list prospective tenants by matching need and qualification criteria through the processes of the choice-based lettings scheme and make direct offers of properties in accordance with the Council's Housing Allocation Scheme and related policies and procedures.
• Apply rigour and undertake detailed and thorough investigations (conducting home visits where necessary), in the verification process and in the approval of all housing applications through the housing register maintaining a detailed knowledge and understanding of Lambeth's Allocations scheme and associated policies and procedures.
• Work closely with housing providers, including ALMOs and Registered Social Landlords, maintaining and developing effective day to day working relationships and monitor their performance ensuring the most effective use of total social rented stock in the borough.
• Provide timely and accurate management information, data and produce detailed reports to assist with the monitoring and supply of the social housing stock.
• Liaise and work closely with other peer groups across housing and other directorates that have a direct influence on the section promoting a joined up approach in the operational deployment of services.

Generic Responsibilities

• Be a champion for excellent customer service delivery and customer care and contribute to the development and delivery of an integrated service.
• Be self-serving with respect to administration, case record keeping and other related duties and utilise IT systems to update and record information required according to guidance and established procedures.
• Participate in appraisals, one to ones, objective settings, personal development plans and working group meetings and take a full and active role in service development, including service reviews.
• To carry out the duties of the post in accordance with the Data Protection Act, the Health & Safety at Work Act and other relevant legislation, as well as Council policies, procedures Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
• To carry out the duties of this post with due regard to the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy and to actively promote and uphold the Council's FRESH values.
• Take responsibility, appropriate to the post, for ensuring compliance with council policies and procedures aimed at promoting and safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children and adults.
• Take responsibility, appropriate to the post for promoting diversity including tackling racism and good race, ethnic & community relations.
• To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade, that may be required. These may be varied from time to time to meet the needs of the service.